Disclaimer: Don't own it!
A/N: ::begins beating purple straws on head:: Well isn't that an interesting way to introduce a chapter? WAHA! Thanks to all the reviewers! You're all very spiffy! Now….Introducing….CHAPTER FOUR!
Soul To Squeeze
Chapter 4: A Proposition Left Unanswered
I woke with a start, my head springing up from my pillow. My heart was thudding painfully against my rib cage, and my breath felt cold and heavy in my dry throat. I closed my eyes and took a couple deep breaths before collapsing back on my pillow. Ever since that night, that dream has haunted me in my sleep. My sense of fear was quickly replaced by sadness. I felt tears swell in my tired eyes and spill slowly down my cheeks. I sniffed and wiped the tears off my cheeks. I jumped slightly as I heard a gentle knock at my door.
"Cindy? Are you alright, dear?" the familiar voice of my grandma asked.
"Yeah, Grammy," I replied as calmly as I could. "I'm fine."
"I heard you screaming," she said.
"Just a bad dream," I responded. "I'm OK, I promise." She slowly walked over to me, placing a gentle hand on my forehead.
"I miss her too, sweetheart," she whispered, as if reading my mind. I closed my eyes tightly, begging myself not to cry.
"Yeah," I whispered, choking slightly on my words, "a lot." She kissed my forehead lightly.
"Go back to sleep, hun. I'll see you in the morning."
"Goodnight Grammy," I replied, settling back into my pillow.
"Goodnight sweetheart."
My alarm clock rang at 6:00 the next morning. Thursdays were always a pain. I groaned and rolled over on my back, rubbing my eyes.
"Cindy, sweetie, you awake?" My grandma called from downstairs.
"Yeah, Grammy," I called back groggily. I pushed the button to shut my alarm clock off, rolled out of bed, and shuffled to the shower. I stepped into the shower and turned it on, letting the searing hot water pour onto my body and drip off my fingertips. I closed my eyes and sighed. After washing my hair and body, I stepped out of the shower and got dressed. I looked at myself in the mirror and sighed, pulling my dark hair back into a ponytail.
"God, I'm so ugly," I muttered under my breath, pulling my shirt over my head and my pants up.
"Cindy! The bus is here!" I rolled my eyes and sighed. Joy! More school.
"Coming Grammy!" I walked through my room, shouldering my book bag, and running downstairs. I bolted out the door so fast, I barely heard my grandma call for me to have a nice day. Yeah, like I EVER have a nice day at school! I climbed onto the bus and slumped into my usual seat, staring out the window. I was so out of it; I didn't even realize the bus was moving until we reached the front door of Retroville High. I stood up with the rest of the high schoolers and made my way off the bus. As soon as I walked through the door, I was greeted by the hustle and bustle of kids rushing to their classes. I sulked down the hallway to my locker, carelessly twisting in my combination and opening the door.
"Cindy!" I heard a voice call behind me. I turned around to see the face of Nick Dean behind me. He smiled. "Glad I caught you."
"What do you want?" I asked, closing my locker door.
"I just wanted to ask you, are you going to Betty's party tomorrow?"
"Probably not," I muttered, glancing at the clock.
"Oh, that's too bad. I was going to ask you to come with me." My breath caught in my throat. I had liked Nick for as long as I could remember, and he was actually asking me out!…Well, sort of. 'He has to be faking it,' I thought to myself.
"I don't know Nick," I sighed. "You're a great guy, it's just…."
"Cin! Come on! You don't get out anymore! All I ask for is just one night! Please?" The pleading look in his eyes made me melt inside. I sighed again.
"I'll think about it," I replied. "I've gotta get to class."
"OK, I'll be waiting for that answer." As he walked away, I walked in the direction of my first period class. I couldn't help but hide the smile forming on my face.
A/N: Oh you know what we want (Hint Hint-REVIEWS!)….AND WE WANT THEM NOW::starts imitating that girl from Wily Wonka::